Designer/illustrator/ writer DEAN MOTTER is perhaps best known as the creator / designer of the ’80’s comic book sensation Mister X, which was relaunched in 2008 for the 21st century by Dark Horse Comics and continues to receive accolades. In 2015 Rolling Stone recognized Mister X as one of “The 50 Best Non-Superhero Graphic Novels.”
In 1988 he wrote and illustrated The Prisoner prestige series for DC Comics based on Patrick McGoohan’s ’60s British television series. His highly lauded Vertigo mini-series Terminal City, illustrated by Michael Lark, was nominated for both Eisner and Kurtzman Awards in 1997 as best mini-series and best new series respectively. The sequel, Terminal City: Aerial Graffiti was nominated for another Eisner Award in 1998 as best mini-series. In 2001 he authored the award-winning Batman: Nine Lives deluxe graphic novel for DC Comics and wrote and illustrated the acclaimed mini-series Electropolis.
His work has appeared in Will Eisner’s The Spirit, Mad Max: Fury Road The Inspired Artists Edition, The Shadow, Spongebob Squarepants, Moebius: Visions of Arzach, Classics Illustrated: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Marvel Comics’ Epic Illustrated and on numerous book and record jackets. He has also illustrated comics such as Batman: Black and White, Grendel, and John Constantine: Hellblazer as well as the children’s book Superman’s First Flight for Scholastic Books.
Dean’s work has recently been reprinted in Mister X: The Archives (including an all-new conclusion,) The Brides of Mister X, The Heart of the Beast and The Compleat Terminal City as well as 3 volumes of his post-millenial Mister X mini-series and serials.
In the late seventies, Dean acted as editor / art director for Andromeda, a comic book series that adapted the works of science–fiction authors such as Arthur C. Clarke and A.E. Van Vogt. With collaborator Ken Steacy he created The Sacred & The Profane, which the late Archie Goodwin referred to as ‘the first true graphic novel’ in the modern comics medium.
Dean has written for Superman Adventures, Flinch, Wolverine, Dominic Fortune and Star Wars Tales. His graphic novel Unique, from Platinum Studios was optioned by Touchstone Pictures and David Goyer.
His design and art direction for the modern comic book adaptations of Ray Bradbury’s works earned him his first Eisner Award nomination. He performed similar duties for Douglas Adams‘ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Harvey Kurtzman’s New Two-Fisted Tales and Stan Lee’s Riftworld. He designed and helped compile the Vanguard retrospectives Echoes : The Drawings of Michael Wm. Kaluta, The Thrilling Art of Alex Schomberg, The Definitive Frazetta Reference and RGK: The Art of Roy G. Krenkel, edited and art directed the Raymond Chandler’s Marlowe graphic novels and contributed to 9-11: Artists Respond and Exploring The Matrix.
Dean served on staff at DC Comics, where he oversaw the corporate and licensing designs for many of America’s most beloved comic book characters. He has worked as art director / designer for Byron Preiss Visual Publications and CBS Records Canada, as well as his own studios Brainstorm, Modern Imageworks and Main ARTery. His record album covers, book jackets and promotional designs have been recognized with several awards.
